Device for taking soil-samples of a corer

ABSTRACT

A device for taking samples of soil by means of a corer, comprising a pipe adapted to be driven in the soil, the corer being releasably locked in the pipe. The lower part of the pipe is provided with closing members adapted to be actuated from the surface, and in the open position, the closing members leave the lower part of the pipe free for passing the corer therethrough whereas in the closed position the closing members completely close the pipe. The corer is constructed as a stationary piston with a sleeve encompassing the piston and capable of being driven along the piston to a position in which the sleeve extends beyond the lower end of the pipe. In one embodiment, the closing members are formed as two plates with half circular positions pivoted to the pipe at diametrically opposed points near a corner between the straight diametral edge and the curved peripheral edge of the plates, such that in the closed position the plates abut with their straight edges and thus together form an abutment for the closed position.

[ Aug. 20, 1974 DEVICE FOR TAKING SOIL-SAMPLES OF A CORER [75] Inventor:Franciscus Theodorus Maris Van Der Wijden, I-Iaarlem, Netherlands [73]Assignee: Conrad-Stork B.V., Haarlem, Netherlands 22 Filed: Feb. 23,1973 21 Appl. No.: 335,106

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 14, 1972 Netherlands....7208120 [52] US. Cl. 175/238, 175/241 [51] Int.-Cl E2lb 25/00, E2lb49/02 [58] Field of Search 175/58, 20, 232-236,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,761,292 6/1930 Bone175/241 X 2,315,590 4/1943 Cantrell 175/242 X 2,491,682 12/1949 Muhlbach166/243 2,544,993 3/1951 Jackson 175/238 X 3,047,081 7/1962 Pitcher175/20 X 3,095,051 6/1963 Robinsky et al. 175/238 X 3,136,376 6/1964Robinsky 175/318 3,163,241 12/1964 Woods 175/58 X Drelicharz 175/242Primary Examiner-David H. Brown Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Waters, Roditi,Schwartz & Nissen [5 7 ABSTRACT A device for taking samples of soil bymeans of a corer, comprising a pipe adapted to be driven in the soil,the corerbeing releasably locked in the pipe. The

lower part of the pipe is provided with closing members adapted to beactuated from the surface, and in the open position, the closing membersleave the lower part of the pipe free for passing the corer therethroughwhereas in the closed' position the closing members completely close thepipe. The corer is constructed as a stationary piston with a sleeveencom- 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDAUBZOIQH 3.830.320 Y sum ear4 awk The invention relates to a device for taking soilsamples by meansof a corer comprising a pipe adapted to be driven in the soil, in whichsaid corer is releasably locked.

Such a device is used for obtaining unmoved samples of soil at a certaindepth below the surface. For that purpose the pipe with the corertherein is driven into the soil. Subsequently the corer is drivenoutwardly into the bottom of the borehole and then the entire corer isdrawn out of the pipe. In doing so, an unmoved sample of soilrepresentative for the depth is carried ---along with the corer.

.tain soil which is not representative for the formation of which asample is to be taken at greater depth.

Consequently, an object of the invention is to provide a device of thekind indicated which is also suitable for taking samples of soil belowthe water level or of swampy soil.

This purpose is achieved in the device according to the invention due tothe fact that the lower part of the pipe is provided withclosure membersadapted to be actuated from the surface and which in the open positionleave the lowerpart of the pipe free for passing the corer and in theclosed position completely close the pipe.

Preferably the corer comprises a stationary piston, a sleeveencompassing said piston and means for driving the sleeve along thepiston to a position in which the sleeve extends beyond the lower end ofsaid pipe, so that due to the fact that the sleeve is driven along thestationary piston there will be no air above the sample of soil in thesleeve and the sample is well retained within the sleeve.

Advantageously, the closure members comprise at least one plate-likemember pivotedto the lower end of the pipe such that the plate ispermitted to slide over the end surface of the pipe,'there being twoabutments for stopping the plates in the opened position and in theclosed position respectively, the plate being put in these positions byrotating the pipe in one direction or the other by which action theplate is displaced in an opposite direction with respect to the pipe dueto frictional'engagement with the soil.

Preferably, the closure members comprise two plates includingsemicircular portions, which are pivoted to the tube at diametricallyopposed points near a corner between the straight edge and the curvededge, such that in the closed position the plates abut with their In asecond embodiment of the invention, the closure members consist of anumber of plates shaped as circular segments which are pivotally mountedat their peripheral curved edges to the inner wall of the tube, theplates being connected near the pivot by a link to a ring-shaped slidingmember arranged in the pipe above the segments, there being a frictionring in the sliding member, which friction ring bears against the sleeveof the sampler, so that when pushing this sleeve downwardly, the slidingmember is carried along and the segments will abut the inner wall of thepipe', whereas upon pulling the sleeve upwardly, the sliding member ismoved upwardly and the segments will abut one another with theirstraight edges.

The invention will now be described in more detail while referring tothe drawing, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an apparatus in which theinvention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 shows on a larger scale and in bottom view a first embodiment ofthe closure members at the lower end of the pipe; v

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a second embodiment of theclosure members at the lower end of the pipe;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line VV in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 shows on a larger scale and in sectional view the corer in theapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a pipe l'formed as an auger which atits circumference is provided with helically extending protruding ribs2, so that the pipe 1 can be readily screwed into the soil, resulting-insoil 4 being loosened and urged upwardly. A corer 5 is arranged in thepipe 1 and adapted to be retained therein by means of locking pawls 6.The corer 5 carries near its lower end a stationary piston 7 and asleeve 8 encompassing this piston near its lower end; The sleeve 8 isconnected with a shiftable plunger (see FIG. 6), on which through theline 9, a pressurized fluid can act so that the plunger and the sleeve 8connected therewith can be driven downwardly, the sleeve 8 being pushedinto the formation below the borehole as indicated by dotted'lines inFIG. 1. Due to the fact that the sleeve 8 slides about the piston 7,there can be no air above the soil cut by the sleeve 8. The corer 5 canbe pulled straight edges and thus together form the abutment for theclosed position. t

In a device in which the pipe is shaped as an auger and provided alongits circumference with helically extending protruding ribs, according toa further feature 'of the invention, the ribs carry the abutments nearthe lower end of the pipe for the open position of the closure plates.The ribs at the periphery of the pipe may merge near the lower end ofthe pipe with horizontonal parts arranged in the end surface of the pipefor further support of the closure plates.

integrally out of tube 1 by cable 10.

Atthe lower part of the pipe 1, closure members 11 are provided, whichcan be actuated from the surface, so that in withdrawing the corerimmediately after the sleeve 8 has passed the lower edge of the tube 1,the

closure members 11 can be put in their closed position to close the pipeand prevent soil from being drawn into thepipe 1.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the closure members, thesemembers comprising two plates 12 each having a substantially halfcircular portion with a triangular projection and, shown in their closedposition in full lines in their open position in dash lines. By means ofpivots 13 the plates 12 are pivoted to the lower part of pipe 1. Thehelical rib 2 merges with a horizontal part 14, so that the plates 12are permitted to slide on these horizontal parts 14. The'horizontalparts 14 have abutments 15 against which the plates 12 abut in theiropen position. For protecting the plates 12, lugs 16 of hard metal areprovided on the plates.

During counter-clockwise rotation as seen in FIG. 2, the plates 12 willbe urged to the open position against the abutments 15 due to thefrictional engagement with the bottom of the borehole. However whenrotation of the tube 1 is reversed, the plates 12 will turn inwardlyuntil their straight edges abut so that the tube 1 is completely closed.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 a second embodiment of the closure members according tothe invention is shown, Here six small plates 17 shaped as segments of acircle are pivoted to the inner wall of the tube 1 by means of pivots18. These plates 17 are connected by means of links 19 to a ring shapedsliding member 20 which embraces a friction ring 21. Ring 21 bearsagainst the sleeve 8 of the corer so that upon pushing the sleeve 8downwardly, sliding ring 20 is carried'along with the sleeve. Then thesegments 17 will be positioned against the inner wall of the tube 1 asshown in dash lines. When subsequently the sleeve 8 is drawn out of thepipe 1, the sleeve will again lift the sliding ring 20. Then thesegments 17 will pivot inwardly until they abut with their straightedges. The bottom of the tube is then fully closed.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown on a larger scale the corer 5comprising the stationary piston 7, the sleeve or sampling tube 8 andthe locking pawls 6. The piston 7 is connected through rod 22 withcylinder head 23 which carries a depending cylindrical skirt 24 in whichplunger 25 is slideably received, to which plunger 25 the sampling tube8 is connected through bushing 26 and union nut 27. At its top portion afixed pivot 28 for the locking pawls 6 is formed on cylinder head 23,while a pin 29 received in cooperating slots 30 formed in said lockingpawls is connected to hook 31, v through spring assembly 32 forming abuffer. Locking pawls 6 are spring biased to the extended position shownin FIG. 6 by springs 33. A passage 34 is formed in cylinder head 23,said passage being connected with line 9 in order to admit a pressurizedfluid in the space confined between cylinder head 23 and plunger 25, sothat plunger 25 and sample tube 8 connected therewith can be drivendownwardly during which action sample tube 8 penetrates the soil.

Corer 5 is lowered into the drill pipe 1 by cable 10 until it rests onthe lower portion of drill pipe 1, whereupon cable 10 slackens and thelocking pawls are pushed into the extended position and engage a grooveformed in pipe 1 (FIG. 1) so that the corer is retained in said pipe andwhen pressurized fluid is admitted, the reaction resulting from theaction on plunger 25 can be taken up.

After having taken a soil sample, corer 5 is hauled to the surface bycable 10, the locking pawls 6 being cammed to the retracted position bypin 29 upon pulling the cable 10.

' The invention consequently achieves in a simple manner a means forclosing the pipe of a device for taking samples of soil by means of acorer having preferably a stationary piston, said closure means beingcontrollable from the surface by an action normal for the device.

I claim:

1. A device for taking samples of soil comprising a pipe adapted to bedriven into the soil, a corer slidable in said pipe for taking a sampleof soil, means for releasably locking said corer in said pipe, said pipehaving a lower portion with an end thereat, closing means at said lowerportion of the pipe adapted to be actuated from the surface for movementbetween open and closed positions, said closing means in said openposition leaving the lower end of the pipe open for passing the corer,when released, therethrough and which in said closed position completelycloses said lower end of the pipe, said corer comprising a stationarypiston, a sleeve surrounding said piston and means for driving thesleeve along the piston to a position in which the sleeve extends beyondsaid lower end of said pipe, said closing means comprising at least oneplate member pivotally mounted to the lower end of the pipe for slidingmovement on the end surface of said pipe, abutment means for stoppingthe plate in at least one of said positions, the plate being movedbetween said positions by rotating the pipe in one direction or theother, during which rotational movement, due to frictional engagementwith the bottom of the borehole the plate is displaced in an oppositedirection with respect to the pipe.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein two of said plate members areprovided respectively including substantially half circular portionspivoted to the pipe at diametrically opposed points near a cornerthereof between the straight diametral edge and the curved peripheraledge of the plates, such that in the closed position the plates abutwith their straight edges and thus together form an abutment for theclosed position.

3. A device according to claim 2 comprising helically extendingprotruding ribs on the pheripheral surface of the pipe, said abutmentmeans comprising abutments mounted on the pipe proximate the lower endthereof to limit movement of the plate members to their open position.

4. A device according to claim 3 comprising a horizontal portion at thelower end of said pipe, said ribs on the peripheral surface of the pipemerging with said horizontal portion, said horizontal portionsupporting.

said plate members.

Patent No. 3,830,320 Dated August 20, 1974 Franciscus Theodorus MariaVan Der Wijden Inventor(s) 1 It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet item [30] "May 14, 1972 should read June 14, 197 2Signed and sealed this 10th day of December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C MARSHALL DANN Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents DRM 90-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC scene-peg U.5GOVERNMENY PRINTING OFFICE: 869- 930

1. A device for taking samples of soil comprising a pipe adapted to bedriven into the soil, a corer slidable in said pipe for taking a sampleof soil, means for releasably locking said corer in said pipe, said pipehaving a lower portion with an end thereat, closing means at said lowerportion of the pipe adapted to be actuated from the surface for movementbetween open and closed positions, said closing means in said openposition leaving the Lower end of the pipe open for passing the corer,when released, therethrough and which in said closed position completelycloses said lower end of the pipe, said corer comprising a stationarypiston, a sleeve surrounding said piston and means for driving thesleeve along the piston to a position in which the sleeve extends beyondsaid lower end of said pipe, said closing means comprising at least oneplate member pivotally mounted to the lower end of the pipe for slidingmovement on the end surface of said pipe, abutment means for stoppingthe plate in at least one of said positions, the plate being movedbetween said positions by rotating the pipe in one direction or theother, during which rotational movement, due to frictional engagementwith the bottom of the borehole the plate is displaced in an oppositedirection with respect to the pipe.
 2. A device according to claim 1wherein two of said plate members are provided respectively includingsubstantially half circular portions pivoted to the pipe atdiametrically opposed points near a corner thereof between the straightdiametral edge and the curved peripheral edge of the plates, such thatin the closed position the plates abut with their straight edges andthus together form an abutment for the closed position.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 2 comprising helically extending protruding ribs onthe pheripheral surface of the pipe, said abutment means comprisingabutments mounted on the pipe proximate the lower end thereof to limitmovement of the plate members to their open position.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 3 comprising a horizontal portion at the lower end ofsaid pipe, said ribs on the peripheral surface of the pipe merging withsaid horizontal portion, said horizontal portion supporting said platemembers.